An informative site from the UK!
Dog Heatstroke Survival Guide
Know how to treat and prevent this
dangerous condition.
In simple terms, heatstroke occurs when a dog loses its natural
ability to regulate its body temperature. Dogs don't sweat all over
their bodies the way humans do. Canine body temperature is primarily
regulated through respiration (i.e., panting). If a dog's respiratory
tract cannot evacuate heat quickly enough, heatstroke can occur.
To know whether or not your dog is suffering from heatstroke (as
opposed to merely heat exposure), it's important to know the signs of
heatstroke.
A dog's normal resting temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5 degrees
Fahrenheit. Once a dog's temperature rises above 105 degrees,
physiological changes start to take place, and the dog begins to
experience the effects of heatstroke. At 106 to 108 degrees, the dog
begins to suffer irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver,
gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain.
If a dog is experiencing heatstroke, you may observe excessive
panting; hyper ventilation; increased salivation; dry gums that become
pale, grayish and tacky; rapid or erratic pulse; weakness; confusion;
inattention; vomiting; diarrhea; and possible rectal bleeding. If the
dog continues to overheat, breathing efforts become slowed or absent,
and finally, seizures or coma can occur.
The amount of damage a dog sustains when stricken with heatstroke
depends on the magnitude and duration of the exposure. The longer and
more severe the exposure, the worse the damage will be.
What to do
1. Pay attention to your dog. Recognizing the symptoms of heatstroke
and responding quickly is essential for the best possible outcome.
2. Get into the shade. If you think your dog is suffering from
heatstroke, move it into a shaded area and out of direct sunlight.
Apply cool water to the inner thighs and stomach of the dog, where
there's a higher concentration of relatively superficial, large blood
vessels. Apply cool< br>water to the foot pads, as well.
3. Use running water. A faucet or hose is the best way to wet down
your dog's body. Never submerge your dog in water, such as in a pool or
tub - this could cool the dog too rapidly, leading to further
complications, including cardiac arrest and bloating.
4. Use cool - not cold - water. Many people make the mistake of
using
cold water or ice to cool the dog. When faced with a dog suffering from
heatstroke, remember that the goal is to cool the dog. Using ice or
extremely cold water is actually counterproductive to this process
because ice and cold water cause the blood vessels to constrict, which
slows blood flow, thus slowing the cooling process.
5. Don't cover the dog. One of the keys to successfully cooling your
dog is ensuring the water being placed on the dog can evaporate. Never
cover an overheated dog with a wet towel or blanket. This inhibits
evaporation and creates a sauna effect a round your dog's body.
Likewise, don't wet the dog down and put it into an enclosed area, such
as a kennel. Any air flow during the cooling process is helpful in
reducing the dog's body temperature. Sitting with the wet dog in a
running car with the air conditioner blowing is an ideal cooling
situation.
6. Keep the dog moving. It's important to try to encourage your dog
to stand or walk slowly as it cools down. This is because the
circulating blood tends to pool in certain areas if the dog is lying
down, thus preventing the cooled blood from circulating back to the
core.
7. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of water. Cooling the dog is
the first priority. Hydration is the next. Don't allow the dog to gulp
water. Instead, offer small amounts of water that's cool, but not cold.
If the dog drinks too much water too rapidly, it could lead to vomiting
or bloat.
8. Avoid giving human performance drinks. Performance beverages
desig
ned for humans are not recommended because they are not formulated with
the canine's physiology in mind. If you can't get an overheated dog to
drink water, try offering chicken- or beef-based broths.
See a veterinarian
Once your dog's temperature begins to drop, cease the cooling
efforts and bring the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your
dog's temperature should be allowed to slowly return to normal once
cooling has begun. A dog that's cooled too quickly may become
hypothermic.
Even if your dog appears to be fully recovered, the veterinarian
needs to check to determine if the heatstroke caused any damage to your
dog's kidneys and liver. The effects of heatstroke can continue for 48
to 72 hours longer, even if your dog appears normal.
William Grant, DVM, a veterinarian for 20 years and former president
of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, has treated
hundreds of cases of heatstroke, ranging from mild to fatal.
According to Grant, the most common cause of death following
heatstroke is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (blood
coagulating throughout the body), or DIC, which can occur hours or days
after the heatstroke episode.
DIC can also be caused by pyometra or septicemia, but Grant says
heatstroke is the most common cause. "Once a dog develops DIC, it may
bleed in the thorax, abdomen, nose and intestine," Grant says. "Once
the blood-clotting factors are consumed, there is an inability of the
blood vessels to prevent leaking; the condition is almost always
fatal." For this reason, follow-up veterinary care is essential
following a heatstroke episode, even if your dog seems to be completely
fine.
Prevention is the best medicine
The best treatment for heatstroke is prevention. Especially during the summer months, it's essential to be aware of the potential for heatstroke. Knowing the signs of heatstroke, and taking the necessary steps to prevent it, will ensure your dog can have a safe and active life year-round.